Unlikely Euro 2024 hero could save Man City millions in transfer window as problem position solved

This is what Nathan Ake does.

There will always be talk of Manchester City needing a 'proper' left-back. Other younger, more exciting players may come along. But after a while, Ake will always be the most reliable option available having maintained a remarkable level of consistency in his game for three seasons now.

Ake has had to work hard to establish himself as a regular for both City and the Netherlands. Moved between centre-back and left-back, he's often been cover at both rather than first-choice. He had locked down left-back for City as they won the treble, before Josko Gvardiol's arrival last summer shifted him back towards the centre.

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He has steadily earned the right to be first choice for Ronald Koeman's Holland side, and is their starting left-back at another major tournament. His performance in their opening win over Poland not only sent a reminder of his defensive qualities but offered a rare insight into the attacking possibilities he can offer at left-back.

After the opening weekend, where 14 of the 24 sides have played, Ake leads the assist charts with two in his nation's 2-1 win over Poland. The first was a clever control into the path of Cody Gakpo - maybe a fortunate assist but still an assist nonetheless - with the second a pass into the six-yard box for Manchester United reject Wout Weghorst to seize upon.

Ake created two other big chances, with only Christian Eriksen producing more key passes in the first round of games so far. His two assists is half the number that won the award for the most assists at the last Euros, with Ake excelling as a wing-back in Hamburg.

It is not a side we have seen from the Dutchman for City. He managed two assists all season for the Blues, his only two in 125 appearances for the Blues. In over 300 senior appearances, he has just 13 to his name, plus two for Holland before Sunday.

Compare his performance to Gvardiol, who had been preferred at left-back at the end of the campaign and responded with a flurry of goals. Gvardiol had been expected to return to centre-back for Croatia, but was used out wide against Spain in Berlin - exposed somewhat as Rodri's Spaniards ran riot in a fine attacking display.

Gvardiol has undoubted attacking abilities and his potential is hugely exciting, but Pep Guardiola continues to have reservations over his defending and that will be a focus point on the training pitch for the new season. Memories of his miscommunication with Stefan Ortega in the FA Cup final will still be fresh when City reconvene in July and August.

Reports continue to link back-up Sergio Gomez with an exit, but with just 47 minutes of Premier League action to his name last term he will hardly create too many selection headaches should he depart. The prospect of signing another cover option would have to be considered if Gomez did leave, but maybe Gvardiol and Ake have left-back covered.

If Ake can start adding attacking returns to his long list of qualities, the pair could save City millions when it comes to strengthening their full-back options this summer.